Elias: Flamengo have the greatest fans in the world

New Flamengo midfielder Elias is delighted to have moved back to Brazil and described his new club’s supporters as ‘the greatest fans in the world’.

Elias, 27, has become disillusioned with life in Portugal as Sporting are going through a crisis and the midfielder, who joined the Portuguese giants from Atletico Madrid in 2011, was keen to move to a club who are fighting for titles.

“Flamengo is one of the biggest clubs in the world,” he told Lancenet!

“ They have the greatest fans in the world. The move will be important for my career. It is a club that is always fighting for titles.

“That's what I wanted, and the design of the new board pleased me greatly. It has everything to go right.

“Every boy's dream is to play in big teams. I have been able to play for Corinthians and now I can play for Flamengo. Every player dreams of playing in these great teams.”

The midfielder has no problem with Sporting though and wished them well for the rest of the season.

“No, no. The club is going through a difficult time, it will pass. Sporting will get over it, by their greatness, the strength of the fans.

“But I looked for a new direction for my life. Hopefully I'll be victorious and always cheering for Sporting to go through this situation.”

And Elias, who has 13 caps for Brazil, had a clear message for the new coach Luis Felipe Scolari ahead of the World Cup in 2014.